Heatwave: ‘How you can protect yourself’
As temperatures rise across Nigeria, doctors have warned that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can trigger life-threatening conditions, worsen existing illnesses and increase the risk of complications among children, older people and those living with chronic diseases. The concerns come amid growing global attention to El Niño, a recurring climate phenomenon characterised by the warming […]
Nigeria is bracing for a heatwave as temperatures climb, with doctors cautioning that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to severe health issues. The concern stems from the El Niño climate phenomenon, which is expected to persist through January to March 2027, potentially intensifying global weather patterns. While El Niño does not cause heatwaves alone, it can heighten the risks of extreme temperatures.
The health risks of extended heat exposure include dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, kidney damage, and complications affecting the heart and respiratory system. In northern Nigeria, the hot, dry season also increases the likelihood of cerebrospinal meningitis, a rapidly spreading infection that can be fatal if treatment is delayed.
According to Dr. Godwin Ekuwke, medical doctors advise that infants, children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat and its associated health complications. Dehydration arises when the body loses more fluid than it consumes, and can lead to symptoms like heavy sweating, headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and muscle cramps.
Heatstroke, a more severe condition, occurs when the body's temperature regulation fails, causing core temperatures to rise dangerously. This requires immediate medical attention, as it can damage vital organs.
Nephrologist Kehinde Ogunsanya warns that severe dehydration can impair kidney function, particularly in individuals with chronic kidney disease, though fluid intake must be customized to their specific medical needs. The hot, dry season also raises concerns about infectious diseases, including cerebrospinal meningitis, malaria, and other illnesses.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Trust's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
